Photographic printing machine



March 17, 1931.

J. L. BARBER 1,796,823

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet l I Inventor Jaa'e v/z Z.fiar$1' M Attorney March 17, 1931. BARBER 1,796,823

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 iff 71274 "Z? a o 4 7" ya l6 f 14 (D g -g ,7 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 1, a 4%" pay; [4- Inventor erase 712 z. fiarbei" v March 17, 1931. Y J BARBER 1,796,823

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 17, 1931. J B 1,796,823

.PHOTOGRAPHIG PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1928 s sheets-sheet 4 Inventor Jbse 7&Ljanber M flamaarih Altor ney March 17, 1931.

J. L. BARBER 1,796,823

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 In venior Jan 0% Lia/"Z1 1" M A itorney March 17, 1931 J. BARBER PHOTOGRAPX IIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ..-llllrlll.

' A Home Patented Mar. 17, 1931 PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH L. BARBER, OF GREELEY, COLORADO PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Application filed December 22, 1928. Serial No. 328,003.

The present invention relates to photographic printing machines of a type adapted for the reproduction of photographic prints from a negative and has for its principal objectto provide a machine of this character in which the print is exposed with respect to the negative for a predetermined period.

A further object of the invention is to provide pneumatic time controlling means for regulating the period of exposure of the print with respect to the negative employing means for adjusting the time controlled element to regulate the period of such exposure.

A still further important object is to provide a light box arranged for subjecting the negative and the print to the rays of light within the box and produced by electric lamps and providing a circuit closer adapted to control the lamp circuit and operable by the pneumatic time control means.

An additional object is to provide an apparatus of this character in which any desired number of prints may be made from the photographic negative and upon which the photograph will be reproduced in uniform manner by reason of the exposure of the respective print for a uniform period through the time controlled element.

Other objects and advantages reside in the special construction, combination and arrangement of'the various elements forming the invention as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of the apparatus, I

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the platen in printing position,

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the platen in raised position,

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially along a line 4-i of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a similar view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional View through the pneumatic time control element taken substantially along a line 66 of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a similar view through the circuit closer and operating means therefor. the view being taken along a line 77 of Figure 5,

Figure 8 is a plan view of the mask for the table and illustrating the print centering lugs for arranging successive portions of the print in registry with the opening in the mask.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the table illustrating the glass window provided therein,

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the light diffusing frames,

Figure 11 is a. fragmentary sectional view through the supporting frame for the circuit closer operating rod, taken substantially along a line 1111 of Figure 5,

Figure 12 is a detail of the operating connection bet ween the pneumatic time control element and the platen releasing lever,

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of the film negative clamping rail, and

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view through the regulating dial for the feeder valve of the pneumatic time controlling element.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration I have disclosed the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates the light compartment of the photographic printing apparatus having its upper portion arranged to provide a work table 6, the compartment being supported. in a convenient elevated position by legs 7.

The compartment 5 is preferably associated with cabinet structure 8 disposed rearwardly of the compartment and which forms a support for the rear side thereof. The front wall of the compartment is provided with a hinged door 9 providing access to the interior of the compartment within which is suitably mounted a pilot light 10 of relatively low voltage and a plurality of electric lamps 11 of a comparatively high voltage.

The pilot light 10 and lamps 11 are arranged in separate electric circuits, each havi on ing a control switch 12 positioned at the forward lower portion of the compartment.

Immediately above the lamps 11 is aranged a plurality of light diffusing irames 13, each having ground glass 14 nrceo therein, the frames being disposed in superposed relation and removably supported within the upper portion of the compartment in any suitable manner well known in the art.

In spaced relation above the frames 13 is a glass frame 15 also having a grount glass 16 fitted therein, said last named frame being fitted in an opening 17 formed in the front wall of the compartment and by means of which each of the frames 13 and 15 may be removed from the compartment.

The LfilQlG 6 forming the top of the compartment is provided with a window 18 within which is reniovably fitted a transparentsheet of material 19, such as clear glass and supported at its edges by spring clips 20. An upright bracket 21 is secured to the table, rearwardly of the opening, a pin 22 is supported at the upper end of the bracket 21 and disposed horizontally to provide a pivotal mounting for the ends of a bl-shaped lever 23 extending forwardly above the window.

The parallel sections of the lever 23, adjacent their forward ends, are pr vided with slotted openings 2% through which a transversely disposed pin 25 inserted for slidingmovement longitudinally of the lever. f bracket 26 depends from the pin 25 that is attached to the upper surface of a platen 2? adjacent the forward edge thereof.

The under side of the platen 27 is provided .h a layer of felt 28 or similar yielding eet material. A beadin strip 29 is secured theupper surface or the table 6, along tli ar edge of the window 18, the portion of the beading immediately adjacent the window being provided with a removable rail 30 secured in position to the beading by a set screw 31.

Brackets 32 extend upwardly from the rail 30 forming a pivotal mounting for the lower ends of a pair of upwardly extending rods 33, each of said rods providing a slidable mounting for a pair of arms 34 extending rearwardly from the rear edge of the platen. Expansion springs 3-5 are adjustably secured upon each of the rods for engaging the upper sides of the arm whereby to yieldably urge the same downwardly thereupon.

A bracket 86 extends forwardly from the cabinet, above the table to the forward end of which a pump cylinder 37 is pivotally attached and provided with a piston rod 38 extending outwardly from its forward end. The outer end of the piston rod is pivotally attached to a plate 39 secured to the upper surface of the platen.

A piston (not shown) of conventional con- 7 struction is operatively mounted within the cylinder 37 and each end of the cylinder is formed with air ports providing for the intake and discharge of air into the cylinder during the movement of the piston the structure thus provided being adapted to constitute snubber for retarding the rapid upward or downward movement of the platen.

A wire 10 is connected at its opposite ends to pins l1 and 42 carried respectively by the lever 23 and bracket 21 and is coiled about the pin 22 whereby to yieldably exert a lifting force upon said l ver.

A Ll-shaped rod 13 is pivotally attached at its upper end to the pin 41 carried by the lever 23 and extends downwardly with its lower pivotally connected to a link 44. The link is is pivotally attached at its rear end toa bracket t4 secured to the bottom portion of the cabinet and the forward end of the link is provided with a pin 46 slidably inserted in a slotted opening t? formed longitudinally at the rear end of a foot treadle 18. The forward end oft ie foot treadle extends forwardly of the leg 7 and is hingedly connected to a base member 19. It will thus be apparent from an inspection of Figures 2' and 3 of the drawings that the downward movement of the foot treadle willresult in the lowering of the platen into a position over the window 18.

A reticulated frame 50 is supported upon the wall of the cabinet beneath the table 6 and upon which frame an air cylinder 51 is supported in vertical position, said o l nder having a weighted piston 52 operatively mounted therein with a piston rod 53 extending outwardly through the top of the cylinder. 'Air ports 54 and 55 are formed in the upper and lower ends respectively of the cylinder.

A discharge pipe 56 is attached to the air port 55 having a check valve 57 interposed therein anc also provided with breather valve 58. The discharge of air through the breather valve is controlled through a valve adjusting rod 59 extending upwardly to the table 6 having a socket member 60 attached to its upper end. A manually operable pointer 61 extends in a horizontal position from the socket 60 and is normally urged outwardly by a spring 62 carried by said socket.

The pointer 61 is operatively associated with a dial plate 63 secured to the upper surface of the table and within which a spiral groove G l is formed for receiving a pin 65 depending from the under side of the pointer. The dial is thus adapted for indicating the position of the pointer with respect to the breather valve, the spiral groove 64; oermitting the pointer to be turned more than a single revolution and thus provide an increase in the number of adjustable positions of the valve.

t will be apparent from the foregoing that through the adjustment of the breather valve 58, the rapidity of the downward movement of the piston 52 within the cylinder will be controlled. A pair of blocks 66 are secured to the outer end of the piston rod 53 in spaced relation with respect to eachother, as clearly illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawing, the lowermost of said blocks being provided with a pair of horizontally disposed oppositely extending pins 57 and the uppermost of said blocas being provided with a single pin 68 disposed parallel with respect to one of the pins of the lower block.

The pin 68, and one of the pins 67 are mounted for sliding movement between a pair of spaced parallel vertically extending guide members 69 attached at their opposite ends to the frame 50.

One end of a snap lever 70 extends between the upper pin 68 and its associated lower pin 67, said lever extending substantially at right angles with respect to said pin in a substantially horizontal position and is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon a pin 71 carried by the frame 50.

The opposite end of the lever 7 is engageable with upper and lower stop pins 72- and 7 3 respectively extending outwardly in spaced relation from a circuit closer operating rod 74 mounted for sliding movement upon the frame 50.

Stop pins 75 are also carried by the rod 7 4 for limiting the vertical movement thereof. A spring catch 76 is also carried by the frame 50 for engagement with a notch 77 formed in the rod for releasably securing the rod upwardly with the circuit in open position, as clearly illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings. The circuit closer comprises a spring contact finger 77 having its free end disposed for engagement by a lug 78 formed at the lower end of the rod 74: whereby to raise the finger upwardly out of contacting position with respect to a stationary contact screw 79.

The circuit closer is interposedin the circuit with the electric lamps 11 whereby to control the illumination thereof. The operation of the circuit closer control arm 74 is arranged for movement in an upward or circuit open position by the lever 70 upon the movement of the piston 52 into its lowermost position.

A coil spring 80 is attached at one end to the end of the lever 70 disposed in position for engagement with the pins 67 and 68 and extends in a direction substantially parallel with the lever and has its opposite end attached to a portion of the frame 50. The end of the spring 80 attached to the frame is disposed in a horizontal plane with the pivot pin 71 of the lever, from which it will be apparent that the spring will urge the end of the lever, to which the spring is attached, either upwardly or downwardly as soon as the lever is moved beyond its horizontal position.

It will also be appreciated that the tension of the spring is such as to snap the lever to the limit of its upward or downward movement as soon as the same passes its horizontal position. A

A lifting mechanism is provided for the piston 52 and comprises a rod 81 attached at one end to the platen lifting rod 43 and with its opposite end bent angularly and inserted in a slotted opening 82 formed at one end of a lever 83.

The lever 83 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon a pin 8 f carried by the frame and carries a lifting member 85 at its opposite ends. The lifting member 85 is pivotally carried by the lever 83 by a pivot pin 86 disposed adjacent the upper end of said member so that the lower end of the member will normally be suspended in a vertical plane by gravitation.

One of the vertical edges of the member 85 is formed with a shoulder 87 and adapted for engagement with the pin 67 disposed at the side of the piston rod 53 opposite from the lever 70 whereby to raise the piston 52 upon a downwaro movement of the platen lifting rod a8 through a similar movement of the foot treadle L8. The lifting rod 43 is normally urged in upward position by a coil spring 88 connecting the rod 81 with the under side of the table 6.

The upper portion of the vertical edge of the lifting member 85, opposite from the shoulder 87, is curved, as shown at 89 and adapted during the upward movement of said member to engage a guide roller 90 for swing ing the lower end of the lifting member out of engagement with the pin 67.

Accordingly after the piston has been moved into its uppermost position, the lifting member 85 will be released therefrom. The piston is then free to move downwardly at a predetermined speed depending upon the regulation of the breather valve 58.

A mask 91 is provided for positioning upon the window 18 of the light chamber, said mask being provided with an opening 92 of predetermined area depending upon the size of the negative from which the pictures are to be reproduced. A beading 98 is formed on the upper surface of the mask that extends parallel along the rear edge of the opening 92 thereof.

Stop lugs 94 are I formed on the upper surface of the mask and are arranged in a row in spaced relation with respect'to each other and parallel with the beadin 93, as clearly shown in Figure 8.

The rear edge of the mask is adapted to abut the beading 29 formed along the rear edge of the window 18 and the forward edge of the mark is adapted to rest upon a bead ing 95 recessed in the table whereby to space (iii the forward edge of the mark slightly above the table to facilitate the gripping of the edge thereof for removing or replacing the mask in position.

In the operation of the apparatus, the rear edge of the negative, indicated at 96, is clamped under the rail 30 and the mark 91 is then placed in position upon the table in a manner so that the negative will appear through the opening 92.

The sheet of print paper shown by the dotted lines as at 97, in Figure 8 of the drawings, is then placed upon the mask with the rear edge of the paper abutting the heading 93 and one of the side edges of the paper arrangedrin abutting relation with the lug 94 nearest the o iening 92.

The light switches 12 controlling the'pilot light 10 and the lamps 11 are then moved into circuit closing position, the circuit for the lamp 11 however still remaining open by reason of the contact finger 77 of the circuit closer being retained out of engagement by the circuit closer operating arm 74.

The foot treadle 48 is then depresse operating to lower the platen 2-7 and at th same time moving the arm 74 downward for moving the contact linger 7'? into circuiclosing position. At the same time the piston 52 is moved upwardly by the liftin m m.- ber and is released from said member upon reaching its uppermost position.

The weight of the piston 52 then operates to lower the piston, the speed of such downward movement being controlled by the position at which the breather valve 58 has been previously set. By reason of the spaced relation between the pins 67 and 68, provided for operating the lever 70, a predetermined movement in the piston will be possible before the lever 70 has been engaged by the pin 68 and moved downwardly beyond its horizontal position.

During this interval the negative and print paper will be exposed to the light from the lamp 11 for reproducing the picture in a manner well known in the art. As soon as the lever 70 has been moved beyond its horizontal position the circuit closer cper ting rod 74' will be rais-d through the upward movement of the associated end of the lever 70 for opening the circuit and extinguishing the lamps 11;

l/V hen the lamps 11 are extinguished, the operator quickly removes his foot from the treadle and spring 88 lifts rod and the platen is moved upward to inoperative position.

The sheet of print paper may then be moved into its next succeeding position, determined by the stop lugs 94 for the reproduction of the photograph upon an adjacent portion of the print paper. The print paper may be of a suitable area for reproducing a row of the pictures along one edge of the paper and then by reversing the paper, a separate row of pictures may be printed along the opposite edge thereof, such rows of pictures be ing defined by the dotted line shown upon the print paper in Figure 8 of the drawings, each indicating areas equal to the opening 92 of the mask.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that a large number of the photographs may be reproduced in an expeditious and uniform manner through the use of the foregoing apparatus by reason of the uniform timing of the exposure of each of the pictures.

It is obvious that my invention is susceptible to various changes and modifications in construction without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims, and I accordingly claim all such forms of the device to which I am entitled.

I-laving thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A photographic printing machine comprising a light chamber having electric lamps mounted therein and with its top portions constituting awork table, a window in the table, means for remova-bly securing photographic reproducing material over the window, a platen pivotally-mounted upon the table for movement into and out of position upon said reproducing material, manually operable means for swinging the platen into position on the material, a switch for controlling the current to the lamp, means actuated by the platen shifting means for closing said switch and pneumatic controlled gravity actuated means for opening said switch.

2. A photographic printing machine comprising a light chamber having electric lamps mounted therein and with its top portion constituting a work table, a window in the table, means for remova-bly securing photographic reproducing material over, the window, a platen pivotally mounted upon the table for movement into and out of position upon said reproducing material, a switch for controlling the current to the lamps, manually operable means for closing the switch and time cont-rolled gravity actuated means for opening the switch.

3. A photographic printing machine comprising a light chamber having electric lamps mounted therein and with its top portion constituting a work table, a current control switch for the lamps, a window in the table, means for removably securing photographic reproducing material over the window, a platen pivotally mounted upon the table for movement into and out of position upon said reproducing material, an air cylinder, a weighted piston operatively arranged within and adapted for gravity actuation in one direction in the air cylinder, speed control means for the piston, means operatively con necting the piston with the switch for moving the latter in one direction, a piston rod mounted on the piston and extending outwardly or" the cylinder, manually operable means for moving the piston and the switch in an opposite direct-ion and including a piv+ oted rod and a lifting member car ied hereby and releasahly engageable with said giston rod, a snap lever operatively associated with the piston rod and the switch, said pis ton rod being adapted "fez limitcu movement in advance of said snap lever.

4. A photographic printing machine comprising a cabinet having a l ght chamber, the top portion of which constitutes a work table, electric lamps mounted in said light ciiamoer, a circuit control. switch for said lamps mount ed in the cabinet, a windoi i. the worl: table, means for removably securing photographic reproducing material over the window, a platen pivotally mounted upon the table tor movement into and out oi? position upon said reproducing material, toot operated lever connected to the platen for swinging the same into position on the material, resilient 11 cans for swinging the platen away from the material, an air cylinder mounted in the cabinet, a weighted piston mounted for reciprocation in the cylinder, a rod mounted on the piston and extending from the cylinder, a pin extending materially from one side of the rod, a lever pivotally mounted in t 1e cabinet and coupled, at one end, to the foot operated platen shifting means, a lilting member pivotally mounted on the opposite end of the lever and engageable with the pin on the piston rod, means for automatically disen gaging the lifting member from the pin when in its raised position, a pair of spaced lugs on the opposite sides of the piston rod, a switch operating lever pivotally mounted in the cabinet and having one end disposed be tween the spaced lugs, said switch operating lever being operatively connected with the lamp control switch and speed control means for regulating the movement of? the piston in one direction.

5. A photographic printing machine having in combination, a light chamber, a platen for holding a print in printing position over said light chamber, means movable by the operator for moving said platen to print holding position, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends, and a spring arranged to oscillate said lever when it passes the line of said spring, a time-controlled member operatively connected to said lever and means for raising said platen operating after movement of said lever by said time-controlled means.

6. A photographic'printing machine having in combination, a light chamber, a platen for holding a print in printing position over said light chamber, a fluid containing cylinder, a weighted plunger movable in said cylinder, means for moving said platen to print holding position and simultaneously lifting said plunger, means for releasing said plunger for movement into said cylinder, a spring actuated lever having an end lifted simultaneously with said plunger, means on said plunger for depressing said one of said lever after a predetermined time and means for then lifting said platen.

7 The structure set forth in claim 6, a lamp in said light chamber, a switch for controlling said light, and means operated upon the movement of said lever for openg and closing said switch.

8. A photographic printing machine having in combination, a light boX, a platen pivoted for downwardly swinging movement to hold the print over said light box, means normally urging said platen to in-operative position, a treadle, mechanical means connecting said treadle and platen to move said platen to print holding position, timecontrolled means, means operated by said last mentioned means to set said time-controlled means upon operation of said treadle, said. time-controlled means permitting operation of s l first mentioned means after a predetern ied, period.

9. A photographic printing machine having in combination, a light chamber, a platen for holding a print in printing position over said light chamber, manual means including a link connected to said platen for moving said platen to print holding position, a fluid containing cylinder, a weighted plunger movable by gravity downwardly in said cylinder, a member operated by said link for raising said plunger when said piston is moved to print holding position, means for raising said platen, and means cont-rolled by said plunger for indicating operation of said last mentioned means after a predetermined time.

10. A photographic printing machine having in combination, a light chamber, a platen for holding a. print in printing postion over said light chamber, manual means including a link connected to said platen for moving the same to print holding position, a fluid containing cylinder, a plunger movable by gravity into said cylinder, means connected to said link for raising said plunger when said platen is moved to print holding position, a spring actuated lever raised by said plungena lamp in said light chamber, a switch for controlling said lamp, a bar movable vertically by said lever for closing said switch when said platen is depressed, means for raising said platen, and means on said plunger tor depressing said lever, and for moving said bar and opening said switch to extinguish the light in said light chamber.

11. A photographic printingmachine having in combination, a light chamber, a platen for holding a print in printing position over said light chamber, a treadle, mechan cal means connected to the treadle and to the platen for moving said platen to print holding position, a lifting member connected to and operated by said mechanical means, a fluid containing cylinder, a Weighted plunger lifted by said lifting member, means causing said lifting member to release said plunger for movement by gravity into said cylinder, means for regulating the time of descent of said plunger, means for raising said platen and mechanical means operated by the descent of said plunger for determining the time for operation of said last mentioned means.

12. A photographic printing machine having in combination, a light chamber, a platen for holding a print in printing position over said light chamber, means for moving said platen to print holding position, a time-con trolled mechanism set by movement of said means, a member moved by said time-controlled mechanism when set, a lamp in said light chamber, a switch for controlling the circuit of said lamp closed by said member, and means including said time-controlled means acting after a certain period to again move said member to open said switch, and means for then moving said platen to inoperative position.

18. A photographic printing machine having in combination, a light chamber, a lamp in said light chamber, an upwardly and downwardly swinging platen for holding a print over said chamber, means actuated by the operator for depressing said platen to print holding position and simultaneously closing the circuit of said lamp, means for moving said platen to inoperative position, and timecontrolled means set by operation of said first mentioned means for opening said circuit.

14. A photographic printing machine having in combination, a light chamber, a platen for holding a print in printing position over said light chamber, a lamp in said light chamber, means actuated by the operator for moving said platen to print holding position, a lifting member operated by said means, a fluid containing cylinder, a weighted plunger movable in said cylinder lifted by said lifting member, means for releasing said plunger from said lifting member to permit said plunger to descend by gravity into said cylinder, a spring-controlled lever moved to one position by said plunger, a member movable by said lever, a switch for controlling said 1loamp operated by said last mentioned mem- 15. A photographic printing machine having in combination, a light chamber, a platen for holdinga print in printing position over said light chamber, a pneumatic means comprising an air cylinder and gravity operated plunger, means adjacent the operators position for regulating the exit of air from said cylinder and thus the movement of said plunger, means for depressing said platen, and means for lifting of said platen.

16. A photographic printing machine having in combination, a light chamber, a platen for holding a print in printing position over said light chamber, means actuated by the operator for moving said platen to print holding position including a link, a lever connected to said link, a pivoted lifting member carried by said lever, a weighted plunger, a fluid containing cylinder into which said plunger moves by gravity, means for regulating the exit of air from said cylinder, means engaged by said lifting member causing it to disengage said plunger to permit gravity movement of the latter, a spring-controlled lever having one end moved upwardly and downwardly by said plunger, and means for raising said platen operated after said end of said lever is moved downwardly by said plunger.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOSEPH L. BARBER. 

